sponsored with funds of the European Union
France (FR)
Employment
France has 276,443 full-time workers employed for the whole year in agriculture and forestry. Another 1,170,079 workers are employed when required. There are 86,684 seasonal workers covered by collective agreements (71,055 thereof are French, and 15,629 migrant workers). Plus 38,518 part-time employees.
International Comparison of Employment
Wages and Labour Costs
In France there are 25 collective agreements at the national level, 76 at the regional level and another 161 at the local/company level.
The minimum wage in agriculture is € 8.27 per hour. Deductions for welfare insurance and additional pension schemes include 25.5 % of the wage payable by the worker and 43.15 % of the wage payable by the employer. The minimum income tax level is 15 %.
The majority of the agricultural workers earn the statutory minimum wage. Seasonal workers may get additional payments up to 1.5 times the minimum wage.
All employees are covered by the collective agreement (98 %), only 2 % (leading employees) have individual agreements.
International Comparison of Wages and Labour Costs
Working Time
In France the 35-hour week has been agreed for agriculture, and flexibility up to 48 working hours is possible under certain conditions. During the harvest season 72 working hours per week are allowable with the consent of the labour inspectorate. The effective annual working time is 151.67 hours.
International Comparison of Working Time
Leave and Paid Holidays
Workers get 30 holidays if the annual working time is over 1,807 h. In addition there are 10 public holidays (paid).
International Comparison of Leave and Paid Holidays
Social Insurance
France has a special welfare insurance system for employees and entrepreneurs in agriculture.
Occupational Health and Safety
126 deaths caused by fatal accidents and work-related illness (81 fatal accidents, 35 accidents on the way to and from work, 1 death caused by work-related illness) (in 2003). 47,817 employees were absent from work for more than three days following work accidents.
Employees handling pesticides must have a certificate. The trade unions are involved in the work of the regional health and safety agencies and insurance bodies.
International Comparison of Occupational Health and Safety
Trade Union Influence
50,000 agricultural workers are trade union members. In 2,500 companies the union FGA-FCDT is represented. The degree of unionisation is 8 %.
International Comparison of Trade Union Influence
Minimum Standards
In France there is a statutory minimum wage (Cf. Table).
International Comparison of Minimum Standards
Trade Union Participation
At the company level the trade unions are participating in the enterprise committees (elected employee representation bodies in companies).
The unions exert influence on education through a bi-partite institution (FAFSEA). In agriculture there are committees for social and cultural affairs at the national and regional level with equal representation of employers and employees.
International Comparison of Trade Union Participation
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